W

hether you’re living in a retirement community in Rancho Mission Viejo or enjoying the coast in San Clemente, there are plenty of groups in South Orange County catering to a variety of interests and needs.

Some may be looking for financial advice, while others want to volunteer at a local landmark, or just want to meet new friends and get out the house. No matter the reason, there’s something for everyone.

We asked around and found out about different clubs in the area and what they do.

The Wizards of Wall Street

Members of Reata Glen, a retirement community in Rancho Mission Viejo, are welcome to get involved with the Wizards of Wall Street—a financial advisory group in which residents can give and get advice on handling money, whether it’s about investments, writing a will, and other fiscal topics.

The so-called Wizards was started in late summer 2019 by residents Bob Franz and Tom Hoffmeister as a casual get-together to share investing information. The original group included about 12 men and met monthly in a Reata Glen Clubhouse conference room.

“The group grew to about 18 men and moved to Zoom in late spring 2020,” co-chair Jeff Zakaryan says. “As COVID restrictions eased, the Wizards began to meet again in person monthly and, in response to questions, began offering presentations from outside professional experts on a broadening range of financial, estate and philanthropic topics.”

Today, the meetings average more than 50 attendees, with more than half of them women. The talks help retirees navigate handling finances, particularly as they enter a later stage of life, Zakaryan says.

For instance, attorneys have spoken to the group about estate planning. Other advice covers what to do after the loss of a longtime partner, particularly if that partner was the one who handled finances.

“Most of us will get to this stage of our lives,” Zakaryan says. “We want a peace of mind. We all have challenges that come with aging.”

In addition to the monthly programs, the Wizards meet for an informal open forum talk over coffee on the first Thursday of each month.

San Clemente Historical Society

As a nonprofit driven by volunteers, the San Clemente Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of the beach town.

“We seek to unite all persons who are interested in the historical and cultural aspects of San Clemente in order to foster greater community appreciation and local identity,” member Diana Hardeman says. “We work to present the Society’s views to the appropriate governmental agencies regarding proposed major developments and legislative action affecting our histor- ical environment.”

The Historical Society was founded in 1973 to curtail the demolition of historic buildings—particularly the Bartow, Rasmussen, and Ole Hanson Jr. mansions.

“Since then, we have expanded our membership and our efforts across a variety of initiatives to preserve and promote the heritage of San Clemente,” Hardeman says. “We just celebrated 50 years of service with a special Golden Anniversary Gala at Casa Romantica in March.”

The Historical Society meets monthly as a group and comprises subcommittees dedicated to different aspects of preservation. Visit sanclementehistoricalsociety.org for more information.

San Juan Capistrano Historical Society

Similar to the town’s slogan, the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society’s motto is “Remembering our past ensures our future.”

The group collects genealogies, biographies, books, photographs, charts, aboriginal relics, and other historic objects.

“They preserve such materials and make them accessible to those who wish to examine or study them,” local preservationist Ann Ronan says. “They operate a museum site on Los Rios Street, where their collection is housed. They welcome you to join as they celebrate their 60th anniversary.”

Volunteers provide tours every week of Los Rios Street and the Historical Society buildings and museum.

“Some work in the archives, filing, digitizing, and cataloging documents and objects,” Ronan says of the work that volunteers perform. “Volunteers are also needed for events—registering guests, selling raffle tickets, preparing and serving food and more.” tour other historic sites such as the Aliso Viejo Ranch and the Moulton Museum.”

The DPHS also sponsors and maintains the Baby Beach Tile Wall, where people design their own tiles at Fired Up in San Clemente. The tiles are then installed by professional DPHS volunteers. DPHS also leads historical tours of the Lantern District above Dana Point Harbor during the Festival of Whales.

“We encourage young people to be interested in Dana Point’s history,” Johannes says. “We offer two $1,000 scholarships each year to graduating seniors living in the City of Dana Point.”

The DPHS website at danapointhistorical.org has further information on its activities.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens

Kathi Koehler, volunteer services director at Casa Romantica—a historical venue in San Clemente—says it has a “very robust and active” program.

“We maintain about 150 volunteers on our roster, with an average age of 70,” Koehler says. “Some are in their 90s. They are asked to commit to five hours per month.”

Ways that volunteers help include welcoming guests and sharing Casa Romantica’s history while collecting admission fees, maintaining the venue’s gardens, providing tours for groups of eight or more people, or working in the gift shop.

“Anyone wishing to become a volunteer can apply on our website. They will then be contacted by the volunteer director and scheduled for an orientation and training,” Koehler says. “Volunteering at Casa Romantica is a very rewarding experience. Being able to give back to your community while volunteering in a beautiful site is very fulfilling.”

San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library

The SJC Friends of the Library mission is to support the San Juan library by promoting and supporting library programs and enhancing literacy, arts and culture in the community by engaging with the public, Ann Ronan says, wearing a different hat.

“Volunteers are needed to sort and process donated books, maintain the bookstore shelves (by) ensuring they are filled, organized and neat, and working shifts in the bookstore assisting customers and ringing up sales,” Ronan says. “Volunteers also give downtown tours of the city’s unique architecture, including the postmodern library, every Saturday.”

American Legion Post 721

Based in San Juan Capistrano, Post 721—formed in 1946 by World War II veterans—has more than 100 members from San Juan and surrounding communities.

“We feel honored to participate in many of the city’s activities such as the Swallows Day Parade since 1959, Veterans Day, Independence Day celebration and carnival, Memorial Day remembrance, Rotary Club annual Classic Car Show, and Summer Nites Concert Series,” Commander David Berg says. “Please stop by and say hello to us.”

Dana Point Historical Society

Historic artifacts, buildings, and sites that contribute to the visual character of the community and serve as reminders of Dana Point’s colorful past are kept intact through efforts by the Dana Point Historical Society.

“We have encouraged the owners of historic commercial buildings and homes to apply to the City of Dana Point for historic designation,” President Barbara Johannes says. “More recently, the DPHS donated the first significant sum to the Hobie Memorial in Waterman’s Plaza, and our members volunteered in fundraisers for the cause.”

The DPHS maintains a museum at the City Hall Plaza, which people can visit on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. or by appointment.

“We have quarterly program meetings where speakers share their research on local and family history,” Johannes says. “Local residents, as well as those from other communities, have made appointments to research their books on surrounding communities. We sponsor field trips where our members and guests

This past year, Post 721 held ceremonies for several Korean War and WWII veterans, and citizens who support veterans and families of the community.

“Some of the organizations that we provide support to are Homefront America, SJC Little League; (California) Boys and Girls State; Veterans Relief Foundation; San Clemente Military Family Outreach; and Camp Pendleton’s 1st Battalion, 11th Marines,” Berg says.

Post 721 recently formed a Color Guard for flag presentation ceremonies and can play the military song “Taps” upon request. Post 721 also has a flag disposal bin at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, so people can properly dispose of an old American flag.

“We meet on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the senior lounge at the SJC Community Center,” Berg says. The Community Center is at 25925 Camino Del Avion.

Contact Berg at LegionPost721@gmail.com or call 949.633.2341 if you are a veteran, spouse, son or daughter of a veteran, or are related to a veteran and interested in learning more about membership.

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